The Freedom Gives Grant Program provides funding to nonprofit organizations that advance financial wellness and address housing-related challenges in communities served by Freedom First Credit Union. The program prioritizes projects that create measurable, long term community impact.

Applications open in April for June awards and in October for December awards. Please read the FAQ carefully before applying.

What is the Freedom Gives Grant Program?

The Freedom Gives Grant Program provides funding to nonprofit organizations that advance financial wellness and address housing-related challenges in communities served by Freedom First Credit Union. The program prioritizes projects that create measurable, long‑term community impact.

When are grants awarded?

Grants are awarded twice per year:

  • June
  • December

Application windows open:

  • April (for June awards)
  • October (for December awards)

Applications submitted outside these windows will not be reviewed.

Who is eligible to apply?

Organizations must:

  • Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
  • Serve New River Valley, Roanoke, or Lynchburg
  • Propose a project aligned with program focus areas

Preference is given to existing Freedom First Credit Union members, though membership is not required.

What types of projects are eligible?

Projects must align with one or both focus areas:

Financial Wellness:

  • Financial education or coaching
  • Workforce development with financial literacy
  • Savings or credit‑building initiatives
  • Small business or youth financial literacy programs

Housing‑Related Initiatives:

  • Affordable housing development or preservation
  • Homeownership education or counseling
  • Housing stability or homelessness prevention
  • Home repair, safety, energy efficiency, or accessibility improvements

How much funding is available?

Grant amounts are larger than in prior years to maximize impact. Award amounts vary annually based on Freedom First’s giving budget.

Funding must support a specific project or program, not general operating expenses.

How many grants are awarded?

  • One grant per market per cycle (NRV, Roanoke, Lynchburg)
  • Six grants annually
  • One additional year‑end grant selected from previously submitted applications

How are applications reviewed?

Applications are evaluated based on:

  • Alignment with program priorities
  • Strength of relationship with Freedom First
  • Number of people impacted
  • Organizational capacity and readiness
  • Ability to complete the project with requested funds
  • Plan to promote community impact of the grant

How will we be notified?

  • Approved applicants are contacted directly by a Freedom First representative.
  • Declined applicants receive an automated email notification.

Can declined applicants reapply?

  • Yes, but organizations must wait six months before submitting a new application.

Are grantees required to report outcomes?

Yes. Funded organizations must provide measurable outcomes, such as:

  • Individuals served
  • Financial literacy improvements
  • Housing units created, preserved, or improved

Grantees should also be willing to participate in public recognition or media opportunities.

Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County has been selected to receive a $15,000 grant.
 
Habitat Franklin County continues to be a critical partner in preserving and expanding affordable housing for low to moderate income families. Founded in 1994, the organization has built or rehabilitated 27 homes and completed more than 45 Critical Home Repairs (CHR) since launching the program in 2018.
 
Their CHR program has grown significantly, completing 10 repairs last year and already surpassing that pace this year. Habitat is also working closely with Freedom First to identify their next Partner Family for a new home build and has referred several applicants to our Financial Empowerment Center to strengthen homeownership readiness.
 
This grant will allow Habitat to complete at least three additional Critical Home Repair projects for families in Franklin County. These repairs address essential health and safety needs—roofing, plumbing, electrical, accessibility modifications, and structural issues—helping families safely age in place and preserving affordable housing stock for future generations.
Lynchburg Covenant Fellowship (LCF) has been selected to receive a $15,000 grant to support its Housing with a Heart program. Founded in 1950, LCF provides safe, well maintained, deeply affordable housing for more than 300 low income and disadvantaged residents across seven properties in Lynchburg. Their mission focuses on serving individuals and families who earn too much to qualify for HUD subsidized housing but still fall well below the income needed to afford market rate rents.

LCF’s Housing with a Heart properties—412 Madison Street, 410 Madison Street, and 700 Federal Street—offer rents that are 45–50% below market, with utilities included in many units. These properties collectively provide 11 apartments that can house up to 21 individuals, including long term residents, seniors, and individuals who were previously homeless. The program ensures that residents can live with dignity, stability, and safety while avoiding substandard housing or homelessness.

This grant will help LCF bridge the gap between the deeply affordable rents they charge and the true cost of maintaining historic properties, covering maintenance, management, and utility expenses that allow these units to remain accessible to low income residents.
Hacksburg is a community makerspace that empowers NRV residents through hands on making, learning, and collaboration. Their work directly supports affordable housing by teaching homeowners, renters, and first time buyers how to safely and affordably complete home repairs—reducing the financial burden that often leads to housing instability.
 
Hacksburg will receive a $10,000 grant to support:
 
  • New professional grade woodshop equipment, including a planer/jointer, a transformer, and a SawStop safety cabinet saw. These tools will allow Hacksburg to launch structured home repair and renovation workshops for NRV residents.
  • $2,000 for membership scholarships for low income individuals, ensuring equitable access to home repair education and workshop resources.
Hacksburg’s woodshop currently serves about 20 active users, and demand is growing. With this grant, they will expand programming to teach residents how to complete flooring repairs, cabinetry, shelving, framing fixes, and other essential home maintenance tasks—helping reduce repair costs and prevent deferred maintenance that can threaten housing stability.








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